NFL: Texans defeat Titans, 20-6

Joshua Koch

Published 9:02 am, Sunday, November 1, 2015

Photo: Jason Fochtman

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nate Washington hauls in a 42-yard pass for a touchdown as Tennessee Titians cornerback Coty Sensabaugh defends during the second half on an NFL game Sunday Nov. 1, 2015 in Houston.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nate Washington hauls in a 42-yard pass for a touchdown as Tennessee Titians cornerback Coty Sensabaugh defends during the second half on an NFL game Sunday Nov. 1, 2015 in Houston.

Photo: Jason Fochtman

NFL: Texans defeat Titans, 20-6

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HOUSTON - A defensive unit that got torn apart a week ago in a 44-26 loss to the Dolphins made a statement on Sunday against Tennessee.

The Texans (3-5) defensive unit was able to hold the AFC South rival Titans (1-6) to just six points and 211 total yards, en route to a 20-6 win.

"Whatever it took today, whatever it took we had to get the win," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "It wasn't pretty but who cares. It's a win and these guys fought hard, they practiced hard this week. We've got a good locker room, got a good bunch of guys and they knew they had to win this game."

In the second half, the defense really got going creating a pair of turnovers, including rookie Kevin Johnson recording his first career interception.

In the meantime, Houston tied a single-game franchise record with seven sacks of Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The Texans had 13 sacks as a team for the season entering the game.

Mettenberger was held to 22-for-31 for 171 yards passing in the loss, while the Titans rushed for just 86 yards.

"When the entire defense is on the same page that what you should expect," Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. "For us to stop the run as a complete defense and also just be able to get to the quarterback."

Offensively, after starting the game 5-for-11 for 35 yards, Brian Hoyer finished the afternoon going 23-for-35 for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

DeAndre Hopkins finished with a team-leading eight catches for 94 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown grab in the first half. Nate Washington finished right behind him with four grabs for 74 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass in the second half.

"I think we knew coming in, I knew Nate (Washington) was going to have a big day playing against his old team he was fired up," Hoyer said. "So to get him that one was an incredible catch, and (Hopkins) that's just Hop being Hop. It's one-on-one so throw it up and he has such good ball skills and knows when to jump that I'm never going to pass those up."

Texans kicker Nick Novak was good on both of his field goal attempts in the win, hitting from 38 and 44 yards.

Houston now heads into its bye week before playing at the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football on Nov. 16.

"It's good going into the bye week (with a win), you never want to go in on a sour note," Texans defense end JJ Watt said. "Knowing what we have to do in the second half of the season, obviously everyone knows we're not where we want to be from a record standpoint.

"But from a situation standpoint from where we are and the reality of where our division is we can go out there in the second half of the season and control a lot of things."